Busia Governor Paul Otwoma has been called on to intervene and save Olepito and Busia sugar factories from closing down.
Speaking in Busia, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce Chairman Busia Chapter Sylvanus Abungu said the revival of Mumias Sugar factory should not lead to the closure of Busia based sugar factories which have created 3,000 job opportunies to the local population.
‘Mumias sugar has been revived after a long period of struggle and that does not mean that Olepito Sugar Company and Busia Sugar factories will have to collapse for Mumias sugar to be well,” he pointed out.
Abungu further urged the national government to help in ensuring the factories in Busia have been protected because it has cost a lot to the investors to establish the two factories.
“As the chamber of commerce, we are going to write a letter to the Kenya sugar board so that these factories can do business in the county. We should not allow Mumias Sugar Company to be taking sugarcane from this county because it is the cause of closing down of our factories” he said urging the county government of Busia to develop a sugarcane policy anchored on the national policy as.
Busia County bodaboda chairman Bonface Okumu stated that the county is at risk of experiencing a surge in insecurity cases if the factories close down.
Okumu appealed to governor Otuoma to visit the two factories and assess their situation, expressing fear that they are likely to collapse within the next four months.
‘These factories are trying so hard by employing our people, saving them from extreme economic hardship and improving the economy of the county. Right now, more than 3000 people have been employed by these factories and if they are not protected by our governor and other leaders, they will close down and the insecurity cases will be on rise’, he said.
He further stated that sugarcane poaching is the main reason that will lead to the loss of employment
“I have had an opportunity to visit the two factories and for sure they are soon closing down. The reason for this is sugarcane poaching. We know the governor is trying to create job opportunities through county aggregation and the industrial park project at Nasewa, but he should also protect those who are employed by Olepito and Busia sugar factories by ensuring that they don’t close down’. He said.
By Rodgers Omondi
